Messages

46

Tools of the Trade / Re: ETC CueSpiders

« on: Mar 14, 2017, 03:05 pm »

This system will work and is a much needed refresh of the antiquated method of cue lights.  Excellent design by ETC in the use of CATx network infrastructure that should be available in a modern venue.

Regarding your concern about operators not paying attention: if they miss their cue because they're not paying attention then you need new operators, not new cue lights.

47

Introductions / Re: Hello from sunny Miami, Florida :)

« on: Mar 14, 2017, 07:45 am »

Welcome!  I hope you find the site useful and informative, and don't hesitate to contribute.  Which community theatre do you work with in Miami?  I lived there for 10 years in a previous life. 

48

The Green Room / Re: Oscar Night 2017: How to teach from it

« on: Mar 02, 2017, 02:06 pm »

So continuing on this train of thought, it appears that person who confused the envelopes was tweeting photos of winners from backstage despite being asked by his supervisors to not do so during the ceremony.

How do you guys handle social media policy or an electronics policy for your crew? Do you have one? Do you enforce it?

I did not know this context when I made my previous comment, but I'll now go ahead and double down on my statement about mental breaks.

49

Introductions / Re: greetings from a delicate cast iron SM flower

« on: Feb 28, 2017, 11:29 am »

I would suggest you go back and correct the grammar on your first posts before you proceed.

  the shade...lol

What's that old saying?  I'm paraphrasing, but: better to keep your mouth and let people think you're an idiot than to open your mouth and prove it.

Terrible grammar in a professional environment is just a bad look!

50

The Green Room / Re: Oscar Night 2017: How to teach from it

« on: Feb 28, 2017, 11:24 am »

I was thinking the same thing. It turns out from further reading that the offending party was a member of the accounting firm and not crew per se; still, a major snafu that boils down to "wrong prop handed to performer." I definitely plan to use it as an example to my interns about the importance of checking over props backstage and staying focused throughout the whole show.

The parallels to chain of custody issues relating to stage combat and weapons handling are worth noting.  Of course, in the case of an awards show it is not a literal "life or death" issue, but highlights the importance of who/when/how in handling show-critical or safety-related props. 

Boiling it down to a teachable moment at a university or amateur theatre level may be more along the lines of stressing the importance of pre-show checks and being mentally alert at all times, especially with the amount of distractions available on our phones.  That nobody is immune and if one person takes a mental break major issues can result, even at the highest levels of the industry.

51

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Contact Methods

« on: Feb 20, 2017, 10:58 am »

I'd try the theatre first as Bex said, but if you're going the social media route definitely do LinkedIn and not Facebook. LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, and as such work-related notes are appropriate for this venue.

I have received work-related messages on Facebook before and I ignore them. It also irritates me, and I'm less likely to respond to the person at all  (via any medium) if they send me a message on Facebook.  Facebook is where people go to see pictures of family/friends and argue about politics, not work. 

52

The Hardline / Re: Dear Abby: How do I ask for time off for the birth of my child?

« on: Jan 11, 2017, 10:39 pm »

I'm glad to hear this one worked out. Sounds like you're a valued member of the team and that this is a company worth working for in the future.

53

The Hardline / Re: Dear Abby: How do I ask for time off for the birth of my child?

« on: Nov 30, 2016, 09:41 pm »

Congratulations!!

I'll speak from my experience on the subject.  My wife just gave birth to our first child on Saturday evening, and I am managing an overseas project for my company.  I had relocated overseas specifically to manage this project and my wife came with me for the adventure and so that we wouldn't be living apart for a year +.  A few months into the project we got pregnant, and it became quickly apparent that the project would not be complete before the birth of our child.  This resulted in my relocating back to the US while the project is ongoing (my wife came home pretty soon after we learned we were pregnant, as we did not want to have the baby outside of the US).

My advice on a professional level would be to tell your employer as soon as possible.  They should be more than willing to work with you to accommodate (and if not, do you want to continue working for them?).  I'd strongly encourage you to go to them with a proposed solution (e.g.: I have a great ASM I can recommend for the show that would be more than capable of stepping up for the time that I'm out) as opposed to just a problem ("I need to miss time").  If you go to them with a solution already in place there's no motivation for them to replace you, and in fact this would only create more work on their part.

Also, it's important that you have a plan that has your ASM always fully in the loop and ready to step up.  While due dates are nice, babies are notoriously stubborn about respecting that schedule  .  Unless you're planning a c-section or induction on a specific date, you're unlikely to have the baby EXACTLY on its due date.

On a personal level, I'd strongly recommend you take off more than just the day of the birth if you're financially able.  Take the time to bond with your new child; they'll only be born once.  Work will always be there.  And if I can offer one final piece of unsolicited advice (and if you only take one thing away from this post, let this be it): when you're shopping for hospitals, be sure to check out the NICU and make sure it's a facility you'd be comfortable with your child in.  You probably won't need it, but if you do need it your baby's life will depend on it - make sure it's a good facility. 

54

The Green Room / Re: Kay

« on: Nov 09, 2016, 08:57 am »

Huzzah!

55

The Green Room / Sunday BBQ

« on: Nov 07, 2016, 12:07 pm »

Not many off theatre topics in here lately, figured I'd change it up a bit and share my adventure into BBQ smoking yesterday.  I recently bought a charcoal smoker for my house and finally had an afternoon to dedicate to it yesterday.

Two 5lb chickens with a BBQ rub (dark brown sugar, kosher salt, ground coffee beans, ground black pepper, garlic powder, cinnamon, cumin, and cayenne pepper) and smoked with hickory and apple wood.  Smoker temps averaged between 220-235 and cooked the meat in about four hours.

Before and after pics below

Rubbed and ready to go on:


Ready to come off:


Ready to eat:

56

The Green Room / Re: PSA: Daylight Savings ends tonight!

« on: Nov 07, 2016, 11:44 am »

That extra hour is always SO needed!

57

Employment / Re: Dear Abby: Is there life after Equity?

« on: Nov 01, 2016, 01:54 pm »

Saw this last week and between moving back home from abroad and preparing for a major life event I forgot to respond before now.  There is absolutely life after theatre (and equity). 

It's been alluded to here already, but the base skills you build as a stage manager are valuable in just about any position - working as part of a team, communication, ability to deal with personality types from A to Z, and perhaps the most underrated: the ability to think on your feet when the crap hits the fan.  You would be shocked how few people in the "real world" can react quickly and effectively to unexpected situations that would ordinarily jeopardize deadlines.  There is no greater deadline than an 8pm curtain.  "The show must go on" is of course a cliche, but it is so for a reason!

I have been out of live entertainment for about ten years now.  I project manage large entertainment technology installations for theme parks and cruise ships.  We have project managers, engineers, technicians, and programmers working for us - most have a background in theatre.  We actively recruit from universities' technical theatre and production programs.  When we were looking to hire a junior PM / project coordinator recently, the answer I gave was: hire a stage manager.

In fact, I'd bet you will be surprised by how quickly you can land a gig that will have you earning significantly more than an equity gig within a couple of years (plus novelty things like nights and weekends off). 

There are a ton of different avenues you can go.  Good luck.

58

Job Postings / Re: Dubai Gigs

« on: Oct 19, 2016, 08:38 am »

KMC, are you currently in Dubai? I've been here for over 2 years. I take you're working at Dubai Parks and Resorts? 

I'm fully aware of the busy season as my workload has doubled (tripled without an LD). Fortunately on my end, there is a person currently reviewing our offer.

Yes sir - supplying and integrating audio / video systems for two of the parks.

59

Job Postings / Re: Dubai Gigs

« on: Oct 19, 2016, 12:24 am »

Honestly, the sooner the better. A few months is a few months out of my time range  .

I figured that was the case.  Sorry, I don't think I'll be able to recommend anyone on that short of notice.  Everyone I know is fully maxed out.  You're also entering the busy season here as the weather has shifted away from "melt your face" hot.  Good luck on that front!

As for the Dubai Parks and Resort gigs, I would be a little cautious. They have been continuously delaying the openings. I also know that the performers (and ASMs) are being underpaid by Dubai standards. Just remember, don't settle for anything less than what you're worth

I wouldn't be too worried about the delayed opening.  I am not sure how long you've been out here, but delayed openings are par for the course.  The construction schedule for the parks was, let's say, "very aggressive" (this is a public forum after all).  It is coming together rapidly, and while it's still not ready for the public eye, I am optimistic it will be a project I'm proud to be associated with when it's finished.

As for the salary point: I don't know what they're paying folks here, but agreed and your point is appropriate for any gig!

And, for what's it's worth, here's Canada's Foreign Affairs Office's take on the area at present -

https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-arab-emirates

Also for what it's worth, there have been more terrorist attacks in the US and Europe, and more attempted attacks in Canada in the last year than there have been in the UAE.   

The UAE is fantastic, and personally I feel 100% safe here - as did my wife during her time here, but there are some very naughty boys and girls not too far way.  Definitely look at a map and make sure you're comfortable with this region before considering anything here.  For many folks it is a deal breaker, and that's totally understandable.  I can tell you that I did not accept my gig here sight unseen.  I came over for a couple of weeks worth of meetings before committing to the project, and it was not at all what I was expecting.  Before landing here I was waffling whether to accept the gig, after being here for a couple of weeks I was all in. 

60

Tools of the Trade / Re: Should an ASM have their kit?

« on: Oct 18, 2016, 12:37 am »

If he thinks you're rude for asking a genuine question then he is too sensitive.  You can approach it tactfully as to not suggest he is unprepared, but there is nothing rude about asking the question.